Diviness

If you have ulcerative colitis, the right medication can help control your symptoms. But just as your condition can change over time, so can your body’s response to certain medications. How do you know if your treatment is really working or it’s time to make a significant modification to your regimen?

It can depend on what symptoms you’re experiencing, how much inflammation you’re experiencing, and what your quality of life is, says Tauseef Ali, MD, FACG, a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University of Oklahoma, director of the Saint Anthony Hospital Crohn’s and Colitis Program in Oklahoma City, and author of Crohn’s and Colitis for Dummies.

“It’s key for patients to understand and spend some time with their doctor, learning more about the disease, the disease process, and the goal of the treatment,” says Dr. Ali.